Two Chinese men arrested on suspicion of working illegally

Okinawa Prefectural Police and Fukuoka Immigration Bureau Naha Branch arrested two Chinese men Thursday on suspicion of working without proper visas in violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Law.

A 38-year-old Chinese national is suspected of running a tour business and having hired a 31-year-old Chinese to work for him as a driver. Both men reportedly deny the charges.

According to Okinawa Police, one of the men has a valid visa to work as a cook, but he is not permitted to work in any other job. The other man reportedly ran a travel agency in Naha.

Okinawa Prefectural Police has confirmed that the 31-year-old man drove foreigners who seemed to be tourists in a private car to sightseeing spots and guided them. Investigators say it’s also possible that he engaged in illegal taxi service, which would be against the Road Transportation Law.